Center for Natural Resources and Sustainability

Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany

March 2022 – December 2022

The aim of the project was to study the interpretations of “human rights” and environmental human rights by the people of Kazakhstan; how the traditions and ideas of the Kazakh society contribute to or oppose the understanding of the importance and relevance of environmental human rights, and cases of violation of environmental human rights. The project was supposed to help to increase sensitivity to various types of violations of environmental human rights related to the environment, water and health issues and should envision building collaboration and dialogue between individuals and policymakers, environmental advocacy organizations, and academia.

Young people, professionals, and students interested in the environmental aspects of human rights

Three analytical assessments in the form of policy briefs in Kazakh and Russian.

1) Policy brief "Realization of human rights to a favorable environment" by the authors from the Ecological Society "Green Salvation" S. Kuratov, N. Medvedeva, A. Omarbekova and S. Spatar. The purpose of this brief was to acquaint readers with the situation with environmental human rights in Kazakhstan, their recognition, observance and protection, as well as provide recommendations for improving the situation.
2) Policy brief "Environmental Human Rights and Culture”.
3) Policy brief " Ecology, human rights, gender" by Aizhan Salimzhanova. 60 in-depth expert interviews were conducted with respondents from all regions of Kazakhstan and three cities: Almaty, Astana, and Shymkent. The aim of the brief was to come up with recommendations that will allow changing the dominant discourses in order to increase the sensitivity and visibility of violations of environmental human rights.

Three lectures were held at DKU. On September 15 2022, online lecture from Professor Felix Eckardt on the topic "Ecophilosophy: main ideas and directions" was held. On 31 October, 2022, the second lecture was held at the DKU dedicated to "Ecological human rights in the media: the experience of the EU and Russia" by Angelina Davydova. On December 2, 2022, a public lecture was held at DKU on the topic "Environmental human rights and the role of civil society in their implementation."
Conference was held on December 10, 2022, at DKU on the topic "Environmental Human Rights: The Situation in Kazakhstan". The conference was attended by environmentalists, sociologists, lawyers, and civil activists. The following topics were discussed at the event in the form of plenary sessions:

• Human rights and climate change: understanding and attitude in Kazakhstan.
• Ecological human rights and social justice.
• Media and environmental human rights.

There was also an exhibition of children's drawings on environmental topics and a presentation of certificates to the participants of the exhibition from the representative office of the Almaty city administration.

The main speakers of the conference were:

Azhar Dzhandosova, social activist, member of the initiative group "Save Kok-Zhailau"

Abay Erekenov, environmentalist, activist of the Public Movement "Let's Protect Kok-Zhailau"

Azhar Sagandykova, head of the Women's section of the OSDP party

Kirill Osin, NGO "Eco Mangystau"

Recycling of the eco-monograph "Tomorrow Was Too Late: Environmental Risks of Kazakhstan". The previously prepared eco-monograph called "Tomorrow Was Too Late: Environmental Risks of Kazakhstan" was revised to allow for reaching out to the wider public, not only to the scientific community.